Food handling apparatus



Sept. 3, 1940. H. JOHNSTON FOOD HANDLING APPARATUS original Filed April7, 1954 2 Sheets-sheet l Ctorneg Sept 3, 1940 H. L.. .JOHNSTON 2,2139

FOOD HANDLING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed April '7, 1954 5g3 \\k` i l I z -l-If- "lo --o Lttorney,

Patented Sept. 3, 1940 UNITED STATES FOD HANDLING APPARATUS Herbert L.Johnston, Troy, Ohio, assignor to The Hobart Manufacturing Company,Troy, Ohio, a

corporation o! Ohio Continuation of application Serial No.

April 7, 1934. This application December 14, 1937, Serial No. 179,766

12 Claims.

This invention relates to food handling apparatus.

It is the principal object of the invention to provide a food handlingdevice suitable for domestic use which will perform a large number ofdifferent operations involved in the handling of food, which will beoperable over a. relatively wide range of speeds, which will havesuitably high torque at any such speed, and which will be m simple andinexpensive in construction.

It is a further object to provide a simple and effective speed controlfor food handling apparatus of this character which will provide thedesired speed range and the desired torque throughout the speed range.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the description, theaccompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

In the drawingsi Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation, with certain partsbeing broken away, of a machine contructed in accordance with thepresent invenion;

Fig. 2 is a view partially in elevation and partially in section of theupper portion oi the machine showing the motor, speed control mechanism,and transmission gearing;

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of a portion of the speed controlmechanism;

:m Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional View on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2; Y

Fig. 5 is a circuit diagram of the motor and its speed controlmechanisms;

Fig..6v is a horizontal sectional view on the line 6-6 of Fig. l,showing the controlling mechanism for controlling the rate of rotationof the bowl;

Fig. 7 shows a modified form of mechanism for controlling the bowlspeed; and

Fig. 8 is an elevational view showing the control 7member of suchmodilied construction of Fig.

This application is a continuation of application Serial Number 719,490,iiled April 7, 1934. 5 Referring to the drawings which disclose apreferred embodiment of the invention, there is shown a base I0 adjacentone end of which there is mounted the upstanding pedestal II carryingthe transverse pivot shaft IIa. The drive mech- 50 anism embodies anelectric. motor I2 mounted within a casing section I3, speed controlmechanism indicated generally at I4 enclosed withina casing section I5,and transmission gearing IS enclosed within casing section I1. A workspin- 55 die Il extends downwardly from the transmis- (Cl. Til-222) sioncasing I'I, detachably carrying a beater element I9 in cooperativerelation with a. bowl 20.

The middle section I3 of the casing is formed with a depending lug 2|which is mounted upon shaft IIa to provide for the swinging of theentire drive and beater mechanism about the shaft IIa to remove thebeater from the bowl. A spring pressed latch 22 mounted on the pedestalcooperates with a pin 23 carried by the casing I3 and provides forlatching the drive mechanism in the horizontal operative position whileper` mitting release thereof when desired.

Motor speed control mechanism is employed which provides for theoperation of the device over a relatively wide speed range and foradequate torque of the motor throughout such speedV range. The motor ispreferably a series type motor which has inherently high torquecharacteristics, and a resistor is connected in series with the motorcircuit and adapted to be cut into and out of circuit in response to thesetting' 'of a centrifugal speed control device to thereb 4' eiectregulation of the motor speed.

Reference is made to the circuit diagram of Fig. 5 which shows the powerlines 25, main control switch 26, the motor I2, and the resistor 21connected in series therewith. The centrifugal speed control device I4is indicated diagrammatically, and is connected to short circuit theresistor upon a decrease in motor speed to a predetermined point. Withthe resistor short circuited, more energy` is supplied to the motor andits speed increases. When the speed increases the centrifugal switchopens its contacts and the resistor is reinserted in the circuit. andthe cycle is repeated. In practical operation the cycle takes place'rapidly with the result that the motor speed is regulated withinrelatively close limitsand maintained at such a value regardless ofvariation in normal load conditions on the motor. Condenser 28 reducesarcing at the contact points.

The speed control mechanism I4 comprises the following. A pair of studs30 mounted upon stationary supporting members 3| provide a support for aplate 32 of insulatingmaterial. The plate is provided with openings oflarger size than the studs 30 to permit limited tilting movement of theplate about the studs as pivots. Springs 33 urge the plate outwardly andyieldingly hold it against the heads of studs 30.

To the plate 32 there is fastened an upwardly extending frame 34substantially U-shaped as shown. The plate carries also a. centrallylocated ann to which is attached a stationary contact member 36; Aresilient three-pronged spring 81 is attached to the plate 32 and itscentrally located depending tongue 38 is provided with an insulatingbearing plate 38a, and a contact 99 adapted to cooperate with the fixedcontact 96. 'I'he construction of the spring member 3l is such that thetongue portion 38 is relatively easily iiexible and can be deformed byapplication of pressure to plate 38a to cause a separation of contacts36 and 39. Each of the members carried by the plate 32 is insulated fromthe other end electrical connection is made to the arm S and to thespring member 31 respectively so that upon the closing of contacts l5 iand 89, the resistor 25 is short circuited as above indicated.

Mounted on. the shaft l0 of the motor is a sleeve member 0| pinnedthereto and rotatable therewith. The sleeve is provided with an out-Wardly aring anged portion 32. A disk 133 is slidably mounted upon theshaft and pins da are fastened into the disk i3 and extend throughsuitable holes in the ange l2 to form a supporting cage structurecarrying an outer disk 65.

Spring QS overlying the sleeve QI tends to cause amai movement of thecage structure inwardly along the shaft. A plurality of pivoted weights61 are hooked respectively into the ange l2 and the disk d3 for opposingthe spring pressure and urging the cage in the opposite direction inresponse to centrifugal force, the extent of movement of the cageaxially of the shaft being proportional to the centrifugal force. Anoperating element or ball 98 is carried by the outer disk d5 and isadapted to contact with the plate 38a on tongue t8 to transmit the axialmovement to the tongue member 38 and thereby to open the contacts 36.99. Means are also provided for adjusting the o speed at which the motorwill operate, this means comprising a device for adjusting the normalp0- sition of the frame so that it will be contacted by the element 48under predetermined selective speed conditions. For this purpose a shaftis rotatably mounted in a xed portion 6| of the frame of the motor andan operating handle 62 attached thereto by means of screw 63. The shaftcarries an eccentric disk 64 against which the frame 34 is held by meansof a spring 65. Upon the rotation of handle 62 the eccentric disk iscaused to turn causing tilting of the frame about its support on studs30. Thus'when the position of the frame 34 is changed by moving ittoward the motor, a corresponding change is produced in the spacingbetween the bearing plate 38a and element 48 of the centrifugal device,these parts being moved closer together so that contacts 36,139 will beoperated at a. lower speed and the mechanism will thus regulate themotor 60 to a slower speed. The opposite regulation occurs when theframe is tilted away from the motor. This mechanism provides a highlyefficient type of speed control, and provides for ready adjustment toany speed within the operating 65 range. The motor operates at thepredetermined speed regardless of variations in the normal work load.

Means are provided for retaining the operating handle in predeterminedadjusted position, this means comprising a ball 63 held againstrodownwardly toward a series of depressions 69 in the disk 64 by meansof a. washer 'I0 formed with a depending tongue II overlying the ball. Aspring 12 normally forces the washer down. intO tation in a slot in thesupport 8| and urged contact with the ball and tends to seat the ball inone of the depressions in the disk; upon the turning of the handle thedisk is rotated and the ball then seated in one of the depressionstoretain the mechanism in such adjusted position. 5

The control device 62 therefore provides means for adjusting the speedat which the motor will operate to any desired speed Within a givenrange, the range being limited by the shape of the eccentric 60 to-within safe operating limits. 10 In case it is desired to vary thespeed range the studs 30 may be adjusted in or out to thereby move thelower portion of the frame toward or away fromv the centrifugal deviceand thereby provide for the control of the motor speed within 15 adifferent speed range. Ordinarily it is preferred to make thepreliminary adjustment of the machine by properly setting the base ofthe frame upon the studs and thereafter to vary the speed Within suchrange. 20

The drive shaft 40 of the motor extends into the transmission housing I1and is provided upon its overhanging end with a `worm meshing with aworm gear 8|. Gear 8| is mounted upon a shaft 82 which is supported inany convenient 25 manner from the housing and provided with a pinion 83which meshes with a gear 9d. Gear 86 is mounted upon the Vertical shaft85 to the lower end of which there is attached the planetary head 86.The head 86 rotatably carries the 3m work spindle I8 which is providedat -its upper end with gear 83 meshing with stationary internal gear 89to provide for planetary motion of the work spindle upon rotation ofshaft 85.

Likewise fastened to shaft is a bevel pinion 35 90 meshing with bevelgear 9|. Gear 9| is rotatably mounted upon a projection 92 ofthe housingsection II which is formed with a tapering socket 93. The gear 9| has anon-circular opening 96 to provide for receiving in driving 40relationship an attachment such as a meat mincing device or the like.

`Shaft 85 likewise extends upwardly through and is journalled in aprojection 95Vformed at the top of housing section which is likewise 45formed with an external taper and serves to receive attachments. A slot96 in the top of the shaft 85 provides a driving connection for suchattachments.

It will be evident from the above that at all 50 of the points wherepower is taken off, either from spindle |8, or from attachmentconnections 96 or 96, the driven parts are at all times in positivedriving connection with the motor shaft and operate at speeds in fixedrelationship to the 55 motor speed. This provides therefore a verysimple and satisfactory driving connection for all of these parts.

The bowl 20, Within which the single beater I9 operates, is adapted tobe supported in a rotatable 00 manner upon the base I0. The means forsupporting the bowl comprises a table |02 within which the bowl isadapted to seat. Preferably a rubber matv |03 overlies the bottom of thetable to provide sufficient friction for driving the table from thebowl. If desired positive driving con` nections consisting of a lug |04cooperating with a projecting member |05 on. the table can be provided.70

A shaft |08 is fastened to the bottom of the table by means of nut |01,the shaft extending downwardly through the base I0. Antifriction bearingmembers |08 cooperating with collar |08 may be provided to take up thethrust load of 15 the bowl and provide for free rotation vthereof aboutthe axis of shaft |06.

As described above, the beater element I9 is adapted to have a planetarymotion within the bowl. The parts are shown in Fig. l'with the beaterelement at the side of the bowl, this being substantially the limit ofits planetary movement toward the side of the bowl. Upon the movement ofthe beater to the innermost position of its planetary movement itextends approximately to the center of the bowl. Thus with its planetarymotion, the beater operates and effective over a complete radius of thebowl. Preferably the bottom of the bowl is upwardly curved at the centeras shown at ||0 to prevent collection of any untreated material in apocket at the center.

As the beater element operates upon the work material in the bowl it isrotating on its own axis I8 and also in the opposite direction about theaxis of shaft 85. The reaction on the work material is to some extentbalanced, but the effect of the rotation of the beater on its own axisbeing considerably greater than that of the rotation of the planetaryhead, there is a resultant reaction which tends to cause rotation of thebowl. As the bowl turns, the entire body of the work material is broughtrepeatedly to the zone of operation of the beater element and is thuscompletely and uniformly treated.

It is highly desirable in a construction of this kind making use of arotating bowl, that a planetary motion be provided. If the beatingelement is merely rotated about its own axis, material such as potatoesbrought around by the rotating bowl may at rst be merely knocked out ofthe way by the rotating beaters and it may require repeated contact withthe beaters before the material is properly beaten down. With thepresent invention the movement of the planetary is such that the workmaterial, in addition to being treated by a rotating beater, may becrushed between the beater and the side wall of the bowl by theplanetary movement of the beater, and

' the entire food treating operation is thus made more eiilcient andrequires less time.

The invention also provides means for controlling and limiting the speedof rotation of the bowl independently of the motor or beater speed. Thismeans comprises a disk |20 fastened to the lower end of shaft |06.` Thedisk is enclosed by an annular wall |2| formed integrally in the base ofthe machine. Upon the disk |20 are a pair of governor weights |22pivotally attached thereto at |23. The weights are provided with guidingand motion-limiting slots |24 co-operating with pins |25 fixed in disk|20, and likewise are slidably supported upon bearing balls |21 whichare rotatable in guide slots |28 formed in the disk. Springs |29fastened respectively to the disk and to the weights normally tend tourge the weights into a retracted position, toward the center of thedisk. In response, however, to centrifugal force, the weights tend tofly outwardly and urge the bearing surfaces |30 against the side wall|2| of the base to cause a braking action of the bowl. This action isautomatically controlled in proportion to the speed of operation of thebowl so that as the speed increases the brak- Y buifer to silence theaction of the moving weights.

Means may be further provided for enabling the operator to manuallycontrol the speed of rotation of the bowl. As shown in Figs. 7 and 8,this means comprises a hydraulic pump including a pair of intermes'hinggears |40, |4I, the gear |40 being mounted upon the turn-table shaft|06' beneath the base of the machine. A casing |48 fitsin fluid tightrelationship around the periphery of the gears and also around theirside faces, a reservoir |42 being provided for receiving a suitableiiuid such as oil. A pressure lchamber |43 is formed on the pressureside of the pump having an outlet |44 in which is positioned a needlecontrol valve |45. The valve is operable by an external handle |46 whichcooperates with a fixed index plate |41 to indicate the degree ofadjustment of the control member.

The operation will be clearly understood from the above. In response torotation of the beater element, the bowl is caused`to rotate, causingcorresponding rotation of pump gears |40, |4|. As the gears rotate theytake in a quantity of the braking uid which is compressed in thepressure chamber by reason of the limited rate at which it can escapethrough the control valve. This produces a braking force which controlsthe rate at which the bowl is allowed to operate. The characteristic ofsuch a pump is that, with any given setting of the control valve, itsbraking force varies rather sharply with a variation in speed, tendingto increase rapidlywith a small increase in speed. Consequently a pumpof this character provides a control which will tend to restrainoperation of the bowl to a predetermined speed range regardless ofchanges in the consistency of the material within the bowl. The speed ofoperation of the bowl can at any time be readily adjusted by operationof the f control valve.

While the forms of apparatus herein described constitute preferredembodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the inventionis not limited to these precise forms of apparatus, andv that changesmay be made therein without departing from the scope of the inventionwhich is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Speed control mechanism for an electric motor adapted to have a widespeed range under varying loads and to develop high torque over saidspeed range including a stationary contact assembly having a pair ofinsulated contacts thereon, means for mounting said assembly in positionextending across the motor shaft and for pivotal movement with respectthereto, means for yeldably mounting one of said contacts on saidassembly in relation to normally engage the other of said contacts, aresistor for connection in the motor circuit and arranged to be shortcircuited by said contacts in closed position thereof, centrifugal meanscarried directly upon the motor shaft, an operating member movableaxially of the shaft into engagement with saidyieldably mounted contactunder control of said centrifugal means to effect opening of the circuitat said contact at a predetermined speed of said motor shaft withresultant inclusion of said resistor in the motor circuit, and means forefecting pivoting of said contact assembly to vary the spacing betweensaid yieldably mounted contact and said operating member to predeterminethe speed of operation of said motor.

2. Speed control mechanism of the character described for an electricmotor adapted to have a wide speed range under varying loads and todevelop high torque over said speed range cornprising a centrifugaldevice mounted on the shaft of said motor for rotation therewith, anoperating member carried by the motor shaft and movable axially under ccontrol of said centrifugal device, a stationary contact assemblyincluding a pair of contact members for controlling the motor circuit,said contact assembly providing for separately insulating said contactsand supporting one of said contacts for engagement with said operatingmember, means for mounting said contact assembly transversely of themotor shaft providing for movement thereof as a unit to vary the axialspacing between one of said contacts and said operating member, andmeans under control of the operator for shifting said contact assemblyas a unit to vary said spacing to predetermine the speed of operation ofsaid motor.

3. Speed control mechanism of the character described for an electricmotor adapted to have a wide speed range under varying loads and todevelop high torque over said speed range comprising a centrifugaldevice on the shaft of said motor, an operating member carried by themotor shaft and movable axially thereof under control of saidcentrifugal device, a non-rotating contact assembly including a pair ofcontact members insulated from said assembly for controlling thesupplying of power to the motor, means at one side of the motor shaftfor mounting said contact assembly in position extending transverselyacross the shaft providing for adjustable spacing of said contactmembers with respect to said operating member, and means on a side ofthe shaft opposite said mounting means for adjusting said contactassembly to vary the spacing between said contact members and saidoperating member to effect opening of said contacts at a predeterminedspeed of said motor to thereby predetermine the speed of operation ofsaid motor.

4. Speed controlling mechanism of the character described for anelectric motor adapted to have a wide speed range under varying loadsand to develop high torque over said speed range and having an enclosingcasing comprising a centrifugal device mounted on the shaft of saidmotor for rotation therewith, an operating member carried by the motorshaft and movable axially thereof under control of said centrifugaldevice, a non-rotating contact assembly including a relatively xed and arelatively flexible contact member, said members being insulated fromeach other, means for adjustably mounting said contact assemblyproviding for engagement of said operating member with said flexiblecontact member, control means accessible from outside said casing foradjusting the position of said flexible contact member with respect tosaid operating member to secure opening of said contacts at apredetermined speed of said motor to thereby predetermine the speed ofoperation of said motor, and additional adjustable means accessible onlyupon the interior of said casing for changing the range of speedadjustment of said control means.

5. Speed control mechanism of the character described for an electricmotor adapted to have a wide speed range under varying loads, and todevelop high torque over said speed range comprising a centrifugaldevice mounted on the shaft of said motor for rotation therewith, anoperating member carried by the motor shaft and movable axially thereofunder control of said centrifugal device, a non-rotating contactassembly including a pair of contact members insulated from each otherand adapted to control the power supplied to the motor, an insulatedbearing plate carried by one of said contact members adapted to beengaged by said operating member to control the operation of saidcontacts to open and closed circuit position at a predetermined speed ofsaid motor, and means for adjusting the position of said bearing platewith respect to said operating member to predetermine the speed ofoperation of said motor.

6. Speed control mechanism of the character described including a casingfor housing the motor, a pair of contacts for controlling the powersupplied to the motor, a non-rotating contact assembly adjustablymounted within said casing providing a support for one of said contactsin position extending across the axis of the motor, means for yieldablyurging said contact assembly in a direction toward the motor, acentrifugal device carried by the shaft of the motor and rotatabletherewith, an operating member movable axially of the shaft under theaction of said centrifugal means and into contact with said one of saidcontacts, and means operable from the exterior of said casing foropposing the action of said yieldable means to vary the spacing of saidcontact assembly and said one of said contacts from said operatingmember to effect opening of said contacts at a predetermined speed ofthe motor shaft to predetermine the speed of operation of the motor.

7. Speed control mechanism of the character described for an electricmotor adapted to have a wide speed range with varying load and hightorque throughout said load comprising a centrifugal device mounted onone end of the motor shaft outside the motor frame and rotatable withsaid motor shaft, a resistor of generally cylindrical shape mounted onthe motor frame coaxial with the motor shaft and having a radius greaterthan that of the centrifugal device and receiving said centrifugaldevice inwardly thereof, an operating member carried by the motor shaftextending axially beyond said resistor and actuated for axial movementby said centrifugal device, a

plurality of contacts connected to said resistor.

for controlling the supplying of power' to the motor, means for Pountingsaid contacts in juxtaposition with respect to said operating means andclear of said resistor to provide for operating engagement of saidoperating member with one of said contacts to effect actuation thereofto open and closed circuit position, and means for shifting the positionof said one Contact with respect to said operating member topredetermine the speed of operation of said motor.

8. Speed control mechanism of the character described for an electricmotor comprising a sleeve fastened to an overhanging end of the motorshaft, a disk slidably and non-rotatably mounted on said overhangingmotor shaft, centrifugal means attached to said sleeve and to said diskfor causing movement of said disk axially of the shaft under the actionof centrifugal force, resilient means tending to move said disk inopposition to said centrifugal force, an operating member carried bysaid disk for movement therewith, a contact assembly including arelatively xed and a relatively movable contact adapted to control thepower supplied to said motor, means for mounting said assemblytransversely of the motor shaft in position for engagement of saidoperating member with said movable contact, and means for shifting theposition of said movable contact with respect to said operating memberto secure opening of said contacts at a predetermined speed of saidmotor.

9. Speed control mechanism of the character described for an electricmotor comprising a sleeve fastened to an overhanging end of the motorshaft, a disk slidably and non-rotatably mounted on said overhangingmotor shaft inwardly of said sleeve, centrifugal means attached to saidsleeve and to said disk for moving said disk axially of the shaft underthe action of the centrifugal force, resilient means tending to movesaid disk in opposition to said centrifugal force, an operating membercarried by said disk for movement therewith, said operating memberhaving a curved engaging portion located on the axis of said motorshaft, a contact assembly including a relatively fixed and relativelymovable contact for controlling the power supplied to the motor, meansfor mounting said assembly transversely of the motor shaft in positionfor engagement of said curved portion of the operating member with saidmovable contact member, and means for shifting the position of saidcontact assembly to predetermine the spacing between said movablecontact member and said operating member.

l0. Speed control mechanism of the character described for an electricmotor comprising a sleeve fastened to an overhanging end of the motorshaft, a disk slidably and non-rotatably mounted on said overhangingmotor shaft, centrifugal means attached to said sleeve land to said diskfor moving said disk axially of the shaft under the action ofcentrifugal force, resilient means tending to move said disk inopposition to said centrifugal force, an operating member carried bysaid disk for movement therewith, said operating member having a curvedengaging portion located on the axis of said motor shaft, a contactassembly including a relatively fixed and relatively movable contact forcontrolling the power supplied to the motor, a bearing plate on saidmovable contact member, means for mounting said assembly transversely ofthe motor shaft in position for engagement of said curved portion of theoperating member withsaid bearing plate to effect actuation of saidmovable contact to closed and open circuit position with respect tb saidfixed contact, and means for shifting the position of said movablecontact to vary the spacing with respect to said operating member, topredetermine the speed of operation of the motor.

11. Speed control mechanism of the character described for an electricmotor comprising a sleeve fastened to an overhanging end of the motorshaft, a disk slidably and non-rotatably mounted on said overhangingmotor shaft, centrifugal means attached to said sleeve and to said diskfor moving said disk axially of the shaft under the action ofcentrifugal force, resilient means tending to move said disk inopposition to said centrifugal force, an operating member carried bysaid disk having a curved engaging portion located on the axis of saidmotor shaft, a contact assembly for controlling the power supplied tosaid motor including an insulating mounting plate, a relatively iixedcontact mounted on said plate, a spring member having a exible tongueportion also mounted on said plate, said tongue carrying a contactadapted to move into closed circuit position with respect to said fixedcontact, means for mounting said contact assembly transversely of themotor shaft-in position for operating engagement of said operatingmember with said tongue portion to effect movement of said movablecontact into open circuit position, and means for shifting the positionof said insulating plate to vary the spacing between said tongue andsaid operating member to predetermine the speed of operation of themotor.

i2. Speed control device of the character described for an electricalmotor comprising a centrifugal device on the motor shaft, an operatingmember having a curved engaging portion and located on the axis of saidshaft andmovable axially thereof' in response to the action of saidcentrifugal device, a resistor for connection in the motor circuit, aplurality of non-rotating contacts, means for mounting said contacts forrelative movement to a circuit opening and, to a circuit closingposition for selectively including and excluding said resistance in themotor circuit to thereby regulate the power supplied to said motor,means for mounting one of said contacts to provide 'for the positioningthereof in predetermined spaced relation with respect to said curvedengaging portion of the operating member for engagement therewith, meansfor insulating both said contacts to prevent electrical connection withany part of the motor frame, and means under control of the operator forshifting the position of said one contact with respect to said motorshaft to secure engagement of said operating member with said one ofsaid contact members at a predetermined speed of operation of saidmotor.

HERBERT L. JOHNSTON.

